The fight of Rob Ford's political life got underway this morning as a panel of judges began hearing an appeal of a November court decision that ordered the Toronto mayor out of office over a conflict of interest complaint.
Ten months ago, a Toronto resident launched a removal challenge against Ford, on the basis that the mayor had allegedly violated the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by speaking and voting on a matter in which he had a financial interest.
That matter involved a motion calling on Ford to repay $3,150 in donations made to his football charity.
In November, Ontario Superior Court Justice Charles T. Hackland ruled Ford had broken conflict of interest rules and should be removed from office.
But the mayor sought and was granted a stay of the decision that allows him to keep his job while his appeal process continues.
Ford's lawyer, Alan Lenczner, began Monday's arguments by saying that Toronto council did not have the power to order Ford to repay the money.
Lawyer Clayton Ruby, who represents plaintiff Paul Magder, is expected to make his arguments later in the day.
Ford and his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, arrived in court shortly before 10 a.m.
If the mayor loses his appeal, city council will have to decide whether to hold a multimillion-dollar byelection, or simply appoint someone to take over for the remaining two years of Ford's term.
Ford has said he will run again for mayor at the earliest opportunity if his appeal fails and he is ousted from office. He is expected to further argue that Hackland should have excused Ford, and that Ford's decision to speak and vote on the motion amounts to a minor error of judgment.
'It's up to the judges,' mayor says
The mayor kept a low profile over the weekend. His last public appearance prior to his appeal came at a ski hill north of the city.
"Just going to keep running the city like I've been doing," he told CBC News when asked Friday about the impending appeal. "We'll see what happens. It's out of my hands. It's up to the judges to decide. I will be there."
Lawyer John Mescarin told CBC News that Ford's team will have an uphill battle convincing the court that the judge erred in his original ruling.
"Justice Hackland was very clear on that when he admonished Ford by saying he was wilfully blind. He didn't read the act, he didn't care to read the act," said Mescarin.
With a report from the CBC's Jamie StrashinAnda sedang membaca artikel tentang
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